Real Sociedad Keeper Remiro Heroic as Barca Hit Woodwork Four Times in Shock 2-1 Defeat
Barcelona’s La Liga title defense hit a major stumbling block on a rain-lashed and frantic night in the Basque Country, as Gonçalo Guedes’s second-half winner handed Real Sociedad a dramatic 2-1 victory. The result, Barcelona’s first defeat in 12 matches, slashes their lead at the top to a single precarious point over rivals Real Madrid.
The champions were left to rue a staggering run of misfortune, striking the woodwork four times and having two goals disallowed in a match where they dominated possession and chances but found Real Sociedad’s goalkeeper, Álex Remiro, in inspired form.
“We played good, we were unlucky,” a frustrated Barcelona manager Hansi Flick told reporters after the match. “Some days are like this and you don’t know why you lose. But this is one day and now we have to focus on the next game.”
The match was a whirlwind from the start, with both teams seeing early goals chalked off. The deadlock was broken against the run of play just before halftime when Mikel Oyarzabal lashed home a blistering volley from a Guedes cross.
Barcelona’s pressure finally told in the 70th minute when substitute Marcus Rashford nodded in an equalizer. The joy was short-lived, however. Just moments later, a spilled shot from Barcelona keeper Iñaki Peña fell to Carlos Soler, who crossed for Guedes to fire Sociedad back into a lead they would somehow cling to despite Soler’s late red card.
Remiro was the undeniable hero, making a series of crucial stops, including a stunning fingertip save to divert a Robert Lewandowski header onto the crossbar. “Three great points and a great game,” the elated goalkeeper said. “We’ve started this year in great form… this is the energy we have.”
The defeat opens the door wider for Real Madrid at the summit and marks a triumphant start for Sociedad’s new American coach, Pellegrino Matarazzo, whose side is now unbeaten in four and climbed to eighth.
Atlético Grind Out Win to Keep Pressure On
In Sunday’s other key fixture, Alexander Sørloth’s towering second-half header earned Atlético Madrid a narrow 1-0 home win over Alavés. The vital three points pulled Diego Simeone’s side level on points with third-placed Villarreal, consolidating their grip on a Champions League spot.
It was a typical, gritty Atlético performance, settled by a moment of quality as Sørloth rose highest to meet Pablo Barrios’s cross for his third goal in as many games. “(Sørloth) is in his most consistent spell since joining the club,” noted a satisfied Simeone.
For Barcelona, however, the mood is one of introspection and irritation, with midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Flick both criticizing the performance of referee Jesús Gil Manzano. But the stark reality on the table—a single-point lead—will concern them most after a night where everything except the final result seemed to go their way.
Similar Posts:
- Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe Lead Real Madrid to 2-0 Victory Over Real Sociedad
- Barcelona Falls to Real Sociedad in Controversial 1-0 Loss
- Title Race Tightens as Madrid’s Stumble Continues in Girona Draw
- Barcelona Dominate 10-Man Real Sociedad to Claim Top Spot in La Liga
- Lewandowski Double Propels Barcelona to Dominant 4-0 El Clásico Victory over Real Madrid
